OMAHA, Neb. – The young College of Saint Mary track & field program continues to build year after year. And, after the Flames had their best team finishes in school history last year, this year is expected to be even better.

The Flames open the 2023-2024 indoor season Saturday at the Concordia University Bulldog Early Bird Meet.

"Last year we finished tied for eighth place in both the indoor and outdoor GPAC meets – which were the best team finishes in program history," CSM Coach Jerrid Johansen said. "We want to build on our conference performances from last year and have a few more all-conference performances, score a few more points and move up in the conference standings this year."

Gone from last year's squad are all-conference runners Chantaya Griffin (600m) and Dazjae Grayson (60m). Griffin was also a national qualifier.

But key returners include Claire Caspersen, Chloe Inhelder, Brooke Wigdahl and Madalynn Rhodes.

*Caspersen was an all-american, national qualifier and all-conference athlete in both the indoor and outdoor shot put. "She's stronger this year and has picked up right where she left off at the end of last season," Johansen said. "She has high expectations of herself at the national level again this year."

*Inhelder was all-conference in the 5,000 and has also been a two-time national qualifier in cross country. "Chloe battled some nagging injuries at the end of last track season, but still competed very well," Johansen said. "We will look for her to lead the distance squad again this year."

*Wigdahl was all-conference in the 3,000 steeplechase last season. "Brooke had a break-through season last spring and keeps improving," Johansen said. "We're excited to see where she will end up this indoor season and see how things carry over into the steeplechase this spring."

*Rhodes was all-conference in the javelin last year. "Madalynn is learning to compete in the weight throw so she will be joining us during the indoor season this year," Johansen said. "We expect the added variety to help her with her best event in the spring."

Johansen expects this year's team strengths to be in the throws and distance groups.

"Our throws group will be competitive and will get better week after week," he said. "It's a young group, but there is talent there.

"Another strength will be the distance squad which had one of its best cross country seasons ever. There is a deep group of returners who have competed in the conference meets and they will be joined by a competitive group of newcomers who will provide us some depth in races like the 800 and 1,500."

Johansen said his least experienced groups will be the sprints and jumps groups, but he expects them to make significant improvement during the course of the indoor and outdoor seasons.

"We have an inexperienced sprint/jump group that doesn't have many reps at the collegiate level," Johansen said. "There is talent there and they have been putting in a lot of work this fall to get ready for the competition season, but I suspect there will be some nervousness in our first couple of meets."

Johansen said he and coaches Derek Fey (distance), Steve Gordon (sprints/jumps), Kevin Drwal (throws) and Tim Pieper (pole vault) are already pleased with what they've been seeing in practices.

"Our fall training block has gone well and I'm happy with the progress we've already shown," Johansen said. "Our event coaches have done a great job of preparing our athletes and introducing new skills, while also keeping them engaged and healthy. Spirits are high and they are ready to compete."

That competition starts this week at the Early Bird and then really gets going starting in the middle of January.